My 1936 GMC has a Zenith carb with the milk bottle glass filter right before the inlet on the carb. In the summer time it will start right up three to four days after it has been driven, in the winter I usually have to prime the carb after two days.  I don't think that the filter makes much difference.  More about the carb design and fuel pump delivery.

I have a 1941 Master Deluxe with the Carter carb.  Originally we placed a glass filter prior to the fuel pump.  At this time it would take a a bit to start after sitting a few weeks.  After replacing the carb with a rebuilt one we placed the glass bowl fuel filter prior to the carb.  Even after sitting the engine will fire if there is gas in the bowl.  This said it may not stay running if there is not gas in the rest of the line, I can see this in the first filter.  

Hi all

My ’46 has the original 216 in it with a Carter W1 574s on it.

There is an old glass sediment bowl/filter mounted directly on the carburetor.

After sitting all winter it does take probably 20 seconds to start, but when it does, it keeps running.

Here is the strange thing, and I’ve been meaning to ask about this here to see what people thought, and Mike has given me the perfect opportunity...

After sitting for a day, the engine starts right up with very little cranking, but almost invariably dies after a few seconds. 

Then as soon as the starter is engaged it starts right back up again and keeps running.

If restarted the same day, it doesn’t do this.  Just starts and runs.

No other engine we have does this.

I never thought about the bowl/filter maybe playing a part in this.

I'd really like to not have to start twice every time I start for the first time each day.

What do you all think?

Hi,

This is interesting.  Before I rebuilt my engine, it had a glass bowl just before the carb.  I replaced the fuel line from the pump to the carb during the restoration, trying to make it stock.  I didn't have a problem starting the car before.  Now it takes several cranks and a full choke to get it running.  I will replace the glass bowl, and get back to you.

Steve

I too replaced the fuel line from the pump to the carb but made it shorter to allow for the filter.  If I recall correctly from a post on the old forum, glass bowl filters were a dealer installed option, Carter initially then AC.  I believe the recommendation was for the dealer to shorten the factory fuel line by kinking it to allow for the additional space taken up by the filter.  Certainly not visually pleasing enough for our restoration standards!!  

Mike,

Now you have gone and done it.

While annoyed by it, we were all blissfully ignorant as to the cause of this problem. Now everyone is running out to the garage to add a filter if they didn't have one or remove one to see if their stove bolt will then become stubborn about starting.

Flare nuts will be rounded off, fuel lines will be kinked, swear words will fill the air. After some time has passed, the opinions will start to pour in and they will be as diverse as before you opened this can of worms. Somebody will say that his car started better after he tightened his lug nuts. Someone else will claim that letting some air out of his tires solved the problem. We will be as confused, if not more confused than we were to begin with.

IT WILL BE ON YOUR SHOULDERS. I hope you are ready for the fallout.

Now where did I put that box with the glass bowl filters?

Mike 

@35mike 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣 🙄 😍 😍

My plan is to get to Hershey early and stock up on glass bowl fuel filters before the venders read this discussion.  Prices will go up you know!!

I knew there was some evil plan behind this. As always, follow the MONEY. 

@ruscar Will I see you in Wichita in October??

Mike

@michael-falise I did just that and bought 5 on eBay…all in great condition.

Jerry,  Please let us know the results after one or more.  Mike 

I have the same problem with 62 Impala with a 327 and my 70 Monte Carlo with a 454